Rain

 The rain falls. 

It stops. 

It falls.

I walk in the rain to the cafe. I order a coffee. Then I sit and wait. My bags are on the chair next to me. My clothes and shoes are wet, but I'm happy. 

My friend sits down in the chair opposite me. We talk and laugh. We have some cake. I want some more cake, but I say no.

It's time to go home. I pick up my bags and I hug my friend. We say goodbye.

I walk back through the rain. 

It stops. 

It falls.

I catch the train, then I am home.

#ESL #Shortstories #BeginnerESL #StarterESL

Restarting

 I started this blog over ten years ago. It was a great idea, but I am easily distracted and I eventually stopped posting. I'd peek into it now and then to make sure it was still going, and I even made a couple more, one on gardening and one on plus-size clothes. Both of which have stalled too. But three years ago, I learned something about myself. I have ADHD and knowing this has made a profound impact on my life.

As an older person, the way I found out at 49 was by learning that my younger daughter has ADHD. I must admit, we had been told this when she was about 11, but she didn't show 'typical' indications of ADHD, which is complete hyperactivity and running around like a mad thing as pop culture has us believing that is all it is, so I didn't believe it. Also, I didn't like the psychiatrist who barely interacted with her and only talked to us, her parents, so I lost trust in him. Anyway, like many things connected to humanity, ADHD is more complex than that simple idea and one of the reasons ADHD in girls is underdiagnosed, or has been, is that they can present differently. I'm not going to discuss that as there are lots more resources around that can explain it better and I'll put in links below, suffice to say, it's why I and my two daughters didn't get diagnosed or believed until we were adults.

Now that I have known for the last three years I have swung around in my emotions about it. I've felt relief to understand why I have behaved certain ways and seemed to undermine my own self at every turn. Then swung to anger about what seems to be a stupid brain fart and wondering what the point of ADHD is. I put the last thought out on Twitter and was gifted the answer in the form of a book recommendation called "ADHD, A Hunter in a Farmer's World" By Thom Hartmann. It helped me considerably and I felt slightly less angry. 

However, it has been a matter of learning how to deal with having ADHD. I've been collecting tools through great online ADHD influencers. Learned how to manage tasks ADHD style and also how to forgive myself when I fail (still working on that one). One important tool is doing things in manageble chunks. Hence, today I'm writing this post. It's a little step towards my goals this year.

Cheers!

https://www.adhd.org.nz/ 

https://www.adhd.org.nz/self-screening-assessment-tool-for-adults-who-suspect-that-they-have-adhd.html 

https://blackgirllostkeys.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtoADHD 

Coming to Vietnam ten months ago was a new adventure. My daughters have grown and left home and I had no need to stay where I was. So, I found somewhere new. Somewhere I could experience different, exciting things. Saigon is an old city in an old country with a long history. I found a place to stay in one of the newer areas, Tan Binh, and I was delighted to find so many interesting homes and balcony gardens. Many people have expressed their creativity and love of gardening in their homes making walking around a bit dangerous as you keep wanting to look up and see everything. But I also enjoy going into the older parts of the city and seeing the temples and avenues of trees. 

Coming here has been an adventure in food, people and bike-riding. Everyday is something new.

Where's the Applause?

   One day, my grandfather was in a small row boat on the river just in front of the house. He saw grandma on the balcony and waved to her. She waved back and carried on watering the plants. Grandad wanted to move to the front of the boat and stood up to move forward. However, he wasn't as careful as he usually was and he fell into the water! When he came back up, he put both arms up, looked at the balcony and went 'Ta da!' But no one was there!
   He was so disappointed. He said later, 'If you're going to make a fool of yourself, it's more fun if there's someone to watch!"